Local chiropractors donate a day's work for foodbank charity The Trussell Trust

Local chiropractor, Dr Glenn Fredericksen from Shrewsbury Family Chiropractic will be helping some of the most vulnerable people in the local community this Christmas, in a Care and Share in the Community campaign in support of foodbank charity, the Trussell Trust.

Dr Fredericksen is among members of the UK-wide United Chiropractic Association (UCA) who are donating a day’s work by providing adjustments on and around the 4th December in exchange for food to the value of the treatment.

This is the second year that UCA, which has around 500 members, has linked up with the Trussell Trust and a look at the latest statistics shows why support is needed now more than ever before.

In 2013, the number of people given three days of emergency food by the charity’s 423 foodbanks was 346,992; this year, the figure has risen to 913,138. That’s approaching a million people who are in need of food on an emergency basis. Of these, 330,205 were children.

One in five – that’s around 13 million people – are now living below the poverty line in the UK and more than 20% of parents have skipped meals or gone without food to ensure their children are fed.

The Trussell Trust reports that the main reasons people are turning to them are benefit delays, low income and benefit changes.

Dr Glenn Fredericksen Chiropractor and owner of Shrewsbury Family Chiropractic said: “We are really excited to support the Trussell trust foodbanks around Shropshire and hope that our special day will help out many of those who need a little support”.

“We are also extending this great opportunity to support a local charity by offering customers who have not yet enrolled with us to do so, between the 1st and 5th of December 2014, by donating a food parcel to the value of £30 in exchange for their initial consultation, nerve scan and physical examination, normally valued at £45.00. This provides a chance for new customers to help others get by, help themselves with better health and they will save a little bit of money too.”

UCA Executive member Estelle Zauner-Maughan said last year’s campaign helped many local communities: “We had a wonderful response last year. A lot of members took part and clients were donating in advance of our charity day as well as on the day itself.

“We found the day incredibly energetic and giving out love to our community is just a great feeling. We are in a unique position to give back to the community and to help foster community spirit.

“This year, it’s even more important than ever. It’s been a few very hard years economically and people in our communities are suffering. No-one should have to go without food and yet there are lots of people who are choosing between eating and heating.”

The trust has welcomed the support of UCA members and says that the Care and Share in the Community campaign will make a real difference to local people in crisis this Christmas.
Helen Franks, corporate partnership manager at the Trussell Trust, said: “We are picking up people who are falling through the cracks of society, who need a helping hand at a point in their lives through one reason or another.

“What is great about having the support of a national organisation such as the UCA is that it means the campaign can link in to our foodbanks throughout the UK.

“It also helps to raise awareness in communities right across the country about our work and about the level of poverty.”

The trust has a page on its website with a shopping list of essential food items that can be donated: http://www.trusselltrust.org/foodbank-projects Or people can donate via text or cheque: http://www.trusselltrust.org/donate

For more information about how you can arrange an appointment contact Tracy at Shrewsbury Family Chiropractic on 01743 455 245.